Incident Code

RS2743

Location

مديرا, Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.544613, 36.3861
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: R2573)

Up to seven civilians, including four children and one woman, were killed while as many as dozens were wounded, local media reported, following Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in Madyara village, aastern Ghouta, Damascus.

While the death toll spanned from five to seven, most reported six civilian fatalities.

For example, The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Six civilians (four children and their parents) killed as Syrian- Russian alliance warplanes fired missiles on Madyara village in Eastern Ghouta east of Damascus suburbs governorate on November 19 2017.”

Several sources tweeted the names of six victims from the same family, including Violations Documentation Center for Syria (VDC).

The Step News Agency put the death toll at seven, adding that “dozens” more were wounded.

Enabbaladi reported on regime strikes in Eastern Ghouta: “According to statistics published by Al-Gawta Media Center on Saturday (November 18th), 14 children and eight women were killed after the aerial bombardment of the eastern towns and villages of Ghouta.”

Sources were, however, conflicting in terms of culpability, as blame was attributed to both Russia and the Syrian regime across the reports.

Victims

Family members (6)

Adult male The father killed
Fadia Shahrour
Adult female The mother
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Child female killed

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Civilians reported killed
5–7
4 Children, 1 Woman, 1 Man
Civilians reported injured
12–24

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Madyara village, Eastern Ghouta (مديرا), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.544613, 36.3861. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Russian Military
Russian Military position on incident
Not yet assessed
Russian Military Strike Report
Russia has not reported any strikes between November 4th - 20th 2017.

Media From Sources (13)